Prophecies About Prophet Muhammad ﷺ By Buddha

Maitreya; the last and the greatest promised "Buddha"

Maitreya (Metteyya in Pali), literally meaning loving-kindness, benevolence, friendship, friendliness, compassion, and the merciful one. He is also described as a Bodhisattva (The one who, motivated by great compassion, dedicates himself to the ultimate welfare of all other beings) who is to appear on the earth, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure Dharma (the teaching for the maintenance of the divinely instituted universal order). In Japan, he was likewise given the name of Jishi Bosatsu, 'He who is full of pity'. ¹

According to Buddhism, the duration of the material world is limited and manifested in cycles of kalpas. A Kalpa is a daytime of Brahma, one day of Brahma consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages. The fourth of these ages, which we have now experienced over the past 5,000 years, is Kali Yuga. Maitreya is the fifth of the Buddhas who are to appear in Kali Yuga, in which there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligiousness and vice. True virtue being practically nonexistent. In other words, Maitreya will appear at a time when the Dharma will have been forgotten almost entirely on the earth. ²

The Buddha himself describes this era as follows:

“After my decease first, will occur the five disappearances. And what are the five disappearances? The disappearance of attainments to (Nirvana), the disappearance of the method (inability to practice wisdom, insight and the four purities of moral habit), the disappearance of learning (loss of men who follow the Dharma ), the disappearance of the symbols (the outward forms, the robes and practices of Buddhism), and the disappearance of the relics.” ³

It should be noted that Maitreya will not come at the end of this era (Kali Yuga). He is not the Messiah as seen by the Jews or Christians. Maitreya will not personally bring about the Golden Age; rather, he will appear when that era has already (and gradually) come into being. ⁴

The era when Maitreya will appear is described from another perspective as follows:

According to some Buddhist traditions, the period of the Buddhist Law is divided into three stages. In the commencement of these stages the Wheel of the Law will turn, but in the last stage, virtually no one will practice the Law. Following this stage, Buddhism having disappeared, a new Buddha will appear and will again turn the Wheel of the Law.

When Maitreya descends, he will gather those who are destined to be saved east of the bridge,' and the sinners west of the bridge.' The chosen people constitute a small minority. Their salvation is the fruit of their spiritual piety, which (includes): the confession of the Triple Refuge (the Buddha, the Marina and the Sangha); the Five Rules to be observed by laymen (prohibiting killing, stealing, adultery, lying and intoxication); fasting, the practice of visualization', and reciting the Guanshiyin Scripture (the Kuan Yin Scripture). ⁵

Maitreya's teachings will not deviate from those of previous Buddhas, except for an interesting tradition that he will not teach any esoteric Tantras (most likely hinting that Maitreya's mission will, in general, be more efficient than Shakyamuni (the Buddha's)). ⁶

Maitreya will appear, not in his fully evolved Buddha form, but in a very handsome form and will be taller than those around him. On seeing this unique being, people will be filled with wonder and faith and will ask how he got to possess such an attractive appearance. Maitreya will respond that this is ascribable to his exercise of patience, avoiding giving harm to others, and if others also stand in love and tolerance, they could become similar to him. ⁷

The most distinctive qualities of Maitreya are the utmost development of energy, courage, patience, the constancy of striving, and bravery. The active compassion of the Bodhisattva, embracing both fearlessness and virya (effort, action), finds its ultimate expression as forgiveness. It is impossible to extend compassion to someone if you have not first forgiven him for his transgressions... "A Bodhisattva knows that the Buddhas are ‘the ocean of forbearance,' gentle forbearance in their spiritual garment. He cultivates this virtue in its full perfection. He forgives others for all kinds of injury, insult, contumely, abuse and censure." To be charitable and forgiving, you need virya. If you do not have strength, you have nothing to contribute.

The devotees of Maitreya were also required to perform "Dharma actions," not only for themselves to ward off the wicked path and false knowledge, but also to help others follow the path of Maitreya. Undoubtedly, Maitreya had many qualities that were active with many people. "Maitreya," say, Robinson and Johnson, "unlike the Buddhas before him, is alive so that he can respond to the prayers of worshippers. Being compassionate, he willingly grants help; and being a high goal in his present birth, he has the power to do so. It should be mentioned that, for the adherents of Maitreya, devotion and service are two complementary features of the practical aspect of their Buddhist experience.

Maitreya is venerated both in Mahayana and Hinayana Buddhism. In his book, The Religion of the Iranian Peoples, Dr Tiele, Cornelis Petrus, says that there is a great resemblance between the Zoroastrian doctrine of the Saoshyants or the next Savior-prophets and the future Maitreya of Buddhism. ⁸ This is quite natural because both of these religions refer to the same world-savior. This resemblance is not because, as some claim, Zoroastrian ideas like Saoshyant influenced the beliefs about Maitreya. In all heavenly religions of the world, there is the belief that one person will appear as the last link of the chain of prophets whose teaching will contain all the truths in the previous ones and fulfil all the prophecies concerning the salvation of all humankind. Maitreya was accepted by all schools of Buddhism and is still the only Bodhisattva honored by the Theravada tradition. ⁹

Known by all schools of Buddhism as the future Buddha as a multidimensional figure, he will not serve as the object of any independent sectarian movement. Rather, most followers of Maitreya will be content to have their devotional confraternities (which might be characterised as a "Collegium Pieta ti's" within the Buddhist community). ¹⁰ His images appear in Gandhara, perhaps even before those of the Buddha. He has been more famous and respected than the Buddha himself in the Buddhist world and is greater than him. This is evident from the Buddha's words: "He will be attended by a company of thousands of monks, just as I attended by a company of hundreds."

Prophecies about Maitreya

The earliest mention of Maitreya or Metteyya is in the Cakkavatti Sihanada Sutta in the Digha Nikaya ¹¹ 26 of the Pali Canon. It is as follows:

“There will arise in the world a blessed lord, one fully-enlightened and awakened Buddha named Metteyya (Maitreya), endowed with wisdom and conduct, a well-farer, knower of the worlds, incomparable trainer of men to be tamed, teacher of angels and humans, enlightened and blessed, just as I am now. He will thoroughly know by his super knowledge, and proclaim to this universe with its angels and friends, and with its ascetics and Brahmins, and with its princes and people, just as I do now. He will teach the Dharma, glorious in its beginning, glorious in its middle, glorious in its ending, in the spirit and the letter, and proclaim, just as I do now, the holy life in its fullness and purity. He will be attended by a company of thousands of monks, just as a company of hundreds attends me.” ¹²

The Gautama Buddha also made the following prophecy concerning the advent of Maitreya:

As the narration goes, Ananda, suppressing his tears, said to the blessed one (at his death-bed): "Who shall teach us when you are gone?" And the blessed one replied:

“I am not the first Buddha, nor shall I be the last. In due time another Buddha will arise in the world, a holy one, a supremely enlightened one, endowed with wisdom, auspicious, embracing the universe, an incomparable leader of men, a ruler of angels and mortals. He will reveal to you the same eternal truths, which I have taught you. He will preach his religion, glorious in its origin, glorious at the climax, and glorious at the goal, in the spirit and the letter. He will proclaim a righteous life wholly perfect and pure, such as I now proclaim. His disciples will number many thousands while mine number many hundreds.”

Ananda said, "How shall we know him?”

The blessed one said, "He will be known as Metteyya, which means he whose name is a kindness.” ¹³

Another prophecy is as follows:

Sariputra, the great general of the doctrine, most wise and resplendent, from compassion for the world, asked the Lord: "Some time ago you spoke to us of the future Buddha, who will lead the world at a future period, and who will bear the name of Maitreya. I would now wish to hear more about his powers and miraculous gifts!"

The Lord replied:

"... the world-ruler, Shankha by name, who will rule over the earth up to the confines of the ocean; and he will make the Dharma prevail. He will be a great hero, raised to his station by the force of hundreds of meritorious deeds. Maitreya, the best of men, will then leave the Tushita heavens... He will have a heavenly voice which reaches far; his skin will have a golden hue, a great splendor will radiate from his body, his chest will be broad, his limbs well developed, and his eyes will be like lotus petals... And then, a supreme sage, he will with a perfect voice preach the true Dharma, which is auspicious and removes all ill, i.e. the fact of ill, the origination of ill, the transcending of ill, and the holy eightfold path which brings security and leads to Nirvana. He will explain the four truths, because he has seen that generation, in faith, ready for them, and those who have listened to his Dharma will thereupon make progress in the religion. And thereupon Maitreya, the compassionate teacher... Maitreya, the best of men, will preach the true Dharma, which is compassionate towards all living beings.

Raise, therefore, your thoughts in faith to Shakyamuni, the conqueror! For then you shall see Maitreya, the perfect Buddha, the best of men!” ¹⁴

Maitreya has been immortalised in large images chiselled out of rocks on mountainsides and cliff faces in the Buddhist world including China, Japan, and Korea. Joseph Edkins writes:

At Pi-Yun Si, a temple twelve miles west of Peking, there is a Hall of five hundred lohans. The building is a large square and contains six galleries. It is entered from the north. The first figure met by the visitor is Maitreya.

In the province of Che-Kiang, I have seen two large stone images of Buddha cut out of mountain rock. One is at Hang-Cheu, and the other at a town called Sin-Chang. The second of these is the larger of the two. The route to it extends a mile and a half to the south-east of the city, and it is seventy feet high. That at Hang-cheu is not, I believe, more than forth. The Sin-chang image is more than a thousand years old and was cut by the labour of a father, son, and the grandson, requiring the chiselling of three generations. It is an image of Maitreya, the next Buddha being so majestic in height, and the sight of this image is very impressive. The wooden image of Maitreya in Peking, at the largest lamasery, Yung-ho-kung, is still higher. The traditional height of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, is sixteen feet. That of Maitreya appears to be sixty. In Hiuen-Tsang's travels, he mentions a statue of wood at Dardu, to the north of Kashmere and the Punjab. It was a hundred feet high and was executed by the Lohan Madhyantika, who converted to Buddhism the King of Kashmere and all his people. By magic, he raised a sculptor to the Tushita paradise to see for himself the "wonderful form of Maitreya. After going up three times, he executed this image. ¹⁵

Prophet Muhammad is the True Maitreya

Almost all the descriptions of Maitreya or Metteyya authenticate the significance of the prophecies tinder discussion about Prophet Muhammad , as shown below:

Maitreya is described as the one who is loving, kind, benevolent, friendly, compassionate and full of pity and mercy for all creatures. All these are the attributes of the Holy Prophet . For instance, the Holy Quran declares the following about him:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ 107¹⁶

And We did not send you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) except as a mercy for the entire world.

لَقَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ 128¹⁷

Indeed there has come to you a Noble Messenger from among you – your falling into hardship aggrieves him, most concerned for your well-being, for the Muslims most compassionate, most merciful.

Maitreya is a Bodhisattva, that is, he is the one who, motivated by great compassion, dedicates himself to the ultimate welfare of all other beings. This description exactly describes Prophet Muhammad . He devoted all his life to the ultimate welfare of all other beings. He was so compassionate toward them and dedicated himself to their welfare in both worlds to the extent that God Almighty frequently consoled him and advised him to take care of his health. As the Holy Quran states:

فَلَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ عَلَى آثَارِهِمْ إِنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَسَفًا 6¹⁸

Possibly you may risk your life by grieving (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) for them if they do not believe in this narration.

لَعَلَّكَ بَاخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ 3¹⁹

Possibly you may risk your life (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) by grieving because they did not believe.

It clearly shows that the Holy Prophet did not grieve at the persecution from which he and his companions were suffering but at the deviation and moral degeneration of his people. What was consuming him was that, though he was trying to bring them out from their disgraceful state, they persisted in it. He was grieved because he was convinced that their deviation would inevitably lead them to destruction and scourge of Allah. ²⁰

Maitreya will achieve perfect enlightenment and teach the pure Dharma (the divine law of the universal order). As Dr Paul Carus points out, the first and cardinal meaning of Buddha is light, and the early token of Buddhism is a lamp which signifies guidance. Exactly like this, the Holy Quran is full of the verses which make comparisons between light and darkness. It declares that God is the Light of the heavens and the earth (An-Noor 24: 35), likening this light to a lamp and mentioning it in the sense of guidance. As the Holy Quran states:

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ نُورٌ عَلَى نُورٍ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ 35²¹

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth; the example of His light is like a niche in which is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass; the glass is as if it were a star shining like a pearl, kindled by the blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor the west – it is close that the oil itself gets ablaze although the fire does not touch it; light upon light; Allah guides towards His light whomever He wills; and Allah illustrates examples for mankind; and Allah knows everything.

The Holy Quran also stresses that God is the Guardian of believers in the sense that He brings them out of all kinds and layers of darkness into light (Al-Baqara 2: 257). Besides, it observes the sun as a lamp and describes Prophet Muhammad as the lamp (sun) of guidance which diffuses light (Al-Ahzab, 33: 46).

Also, among the prophets, it is only Prophet Muhammad , who came with a complete, perfect law to design the worldly life of both humanity and jinn and also emphasised obedience to God's laws of the creation and operation of the universe which are responsible for the perfect order of the universe. The Holy Quran draws the attention to this decree and the cosmic balance, which is based on God's laws. For example, it declares:

الرَّحْمَنُ 1 عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ 2 خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ 3 عَلَّمَهُ الْبَيَانَ 4 الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ 5 وَالنَّجْمُ وَالشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ 6 وَالسَّمَاءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الْمِيزَانَ 7 أَلَّا تَطْغَوْا فِي الْمِيزَانِ 8 وَأَقِيمُوا الْوَزْنَ بِالْقِسْطِ وَلَا تُخْسِرُوا الْمِيزَانَ 9²²

Allah, the Most Gracious. Has taught the Quran to His beloved Prophet (Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). Has created Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) as the soul of mankind. Has taught him the knowledge of the past and the future. The sun and the moon are scheduled. And the plants and the trees prostrate (for Him). And Allah has raised the sky, and He has set the balance. In order that you may not corrupt the balance. And establish the measures justly, nor decrease the due weight.

Maitreya is the fifth of the Buddhas who are to appear in Kali Yuga, in which there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, while true virtue is practically nonexistent. In other words, Maitreya will appear at a time when the Dharma will have been forgotten almost entirely on the earth, the time when the wheel of law does not turn, and no one practices the law. Before he appears, in the words of Buddha himself, there will be five appearances. The disappearance of attainments (to Nirvana), the disappearance of the method (inability to practice wisdom, insight and the four purities of moral habit), the disappearance of learning (loss of men who know and follow the Dharma), the disappearance of the symbols (the outward forms, the robes and practices of Buddhism), the disappearance of the relics..."

It is mentioned in the books of seerah that Prophet Muhammad came at a time when the entire world was in the extreme darkness, which the Quran calls "(the age of) ignorance". The Holy Quran defines the condition of the world at that time As:

أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِنْ فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَاهَا وَمَنْ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ نُورٍ 40²³

Or like realms of darkness in a deep sea, which is covered by a wave, the wave covered by another wave, and above it is a cloud; layers of darkness upon darkness; if he removes his hand it does not seem visible; and the one to whom Allah does not provide light – there is no light for him anywhere.

It is highly interesting that while the Zoroastrian scriptures mention that the final saviour (Saoshyant) as the last and greatest of the three Saoshyants (as Muhammad after Moses and Jesus ), the Buddhist sacred texts mention him as the fifth of the Buddhas, as he, like the preceding four, came with a law (Dharma) responsible for the universal order and the order in human life. As the Holy Quran states:

شَرَعَ لَكُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا وَصَّى بِهِ نُوحًا وَالَّذِي أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ وَمَا وَصَّيْنَا بِهِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمُوسَى وَعِيسَى أَنْ أَقِيمُوا الدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُوا فِيهِ كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ اللَّهُ يَجْتَبِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَهْدِي إِلَيْهِ مَنْ يُنِيبُ 13²⁴

He has kept for you the same path of religion which He commanded Nooh, and what We divinely reveal to you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), and what We had commanded to Ibrahim and Moosa and Eisa that, “Keep the religion proper, and do not create divisions in it”; the polytheists find the matter what you call them to as intolerable; Allah chooses for His proximity whomever He wills, and guides towards Himself whoever inclines (towards Him).

The Buddha was not mentioned in the Holy Quran as one of these five prophets, who appeared and lived in the "Middle East". However, Buddha is not a personal name; it is a title which signifies full enlightenment and awakening. Therefore, these five prophets, who were fully enlightened and came with a Law, are also Buddhas in the literal meaning of the term.

Maitreya will not come at the end of the Kali Yuga. He is not the Messiah as understood in the world of Christianity or Judaism. Maitreya will not personally bring about the Golden Age, rather, he will appear when that era has already (and gradually) come into being. Prophet Muhammad did come in the last era of human existence in the world but not at its ultimate end. He describes himself as the prophet of the afternoon of human history. Therefore, Maitreya is not either the Jewish or Christian Messiah or the Muslim Mahdi, expected to come at the end of human existence on the earth.

When Maitreya descends, he will gather those who are destined to be saved "east of the bridge," and the sinners "west of the bridge." The chosen people constitute a small minority. Their salvation is the fruit of their religious piety, which (includes): the confession of the Triple Refuge (the Buddha (enlightenment), the Dharma (Law and order) and the Sangha (the unity and community of believers)); the Five Rules to be observed by laymen (prohibiting killing, stealing, adultery, lying and intoxication); fasting, the practice of "visualization", and reciting the Guanshiyin Scripture (the Scripture of universal salvation especially from miseries).

All these expressions exactly define Islam and the companions of Prophet Muhammad . Prophet Muhammad had few followers in Makka and his initial years in Madina. Only due to their religious piety, their sincere obedience to God's orders and refraining from His prohibitions, and due to their unity as a Community, they became successful. As the Holy Quran states:

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ 110²⁵

You are the best among all the nations that were raised among mankind – you enjoin good deeds and forbid immorality, and you believe in Allah, and if the People given the Book(s) believed it would be better for them; some of them are believers (Muslims) and most of them are disbelievers.

مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنْجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا 110²⁶

Mohammed is the Noble Messenger of Allah, and his companions are stern with the disbelievers and merciful among themselves – you will see them bowing and falling in prostration, seeking Allah’s munificence and His pleasure; their signs are on their faces, from the effects of their prostration; this trait of theirs is mentioned in the Taurat; and their trait is mentioned in the Injeel; like a cultivation that sprouted its shoot, then strengthened it, then thickened and then stood firm upon its stem, pleasing the farmer – in order to enrage the disbelievers with them; Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward to those among them who have faith and do good deeds.

The companions of Muhammad were such that one could recognize them on first sight to be the best of mankind, because their faces used to shine forth with the light of God's worship and God consciousness. ²⁷ The companions of the Holy Prophet were also rightly-guided and purified. As the Holy Quran states:

وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ فِيكُمْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَوْ يُطِيعُكُمْ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ لَعَنِتُّمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ أُولَئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ 7²⁸

And know that Allah’s Noble Messenger is among you; in most of the affairs, were he to listen to you, you would surely fall into hardship, but Allah has made faith dear to you and has instilled it in your hearts, and has made disbelief and rebellion and disobedience abhorred by you; it is people like these who are on guidance.

لَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ 2²⁹

It is He Who has sent among the unlettered people a Noble Messenger from themselves, who recites His verses to them and purifies them, and bestows them the knowledge of the Book and wisdom; and indeed before this, they were in open error.

Furthermore, in a hadith, they are mentioned as stars which guide the people. The hadith is as follows:

أَصْحَابِي كَالنُّجُومِ بِأَيِّهِمُ اقْتَدَيْتُمُ اهْتَدَيْتُمْ. ³⁰

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The companions of the Holy Prophet were such a united community that the Holy Quran describes them as believers and as a firm, solid structure. As the Holy Quran states

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ 10³¹

The Muslims are brothers to each other, therefore, make peace between your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you may gain mercy.

This verse establishes a universal brotherhood of all the Muslims of the world, and it is by virtue of this that the sort of fraternity that exists among the Muslims exists among the followers of no other religion and creed. The importance of this command, and its demands, has been explained by the Prophet Muhammad in many of his traditions from which one can understand its full significance and spirit. ³²

Islam has decisively banned killing, stealing, adultery, slandering and intoxication. It regards these vices as among the most monstrous sins and offences. It has laid down the severest punishments for their perpetration. Besides, Islam has always been the promise of the oppressed, the wretched, and the stricken ones. Isaac Taylor (1787-1865), an English philosophical and historical writer, artist, and inventor, categorically admits the effects and influence of Islam on people as:

“When Muhammadanism (a wrong designation for Islam-AU) is embraced, paganism, fetishism, infanticide and witchcraft disappear. Cleanliness replaces filth, and the new convert acquires a personal dignity and self-respect. Immodest dances and promiscuous intercourse of the sexes cease; female chastity is rewarded as a virtue; industry replaces idleness; license gives place to law; order and sobriety prevail; blood feuds, cruelty to animals and slaves are eradicated. Islam swept away corruption and superstitions. Islam was a revolt against empty polemics. It gave hope to the slave, brotherhood to humanity, and recognition of the fundamental facts of human nature. The virtues which Islam inculcates are temperance, cleanliness, chastity, justice, fortitude, courage, benevolence, hospitality, veracity and resignation. Islam preaches a practical brotherhood, the social equality of all Muslims. Slavery is not part of the creed of Islam. Polygamy is a more difficult question. Moses did not prohibit it. David practiced it, and it is not directly forbidden in the New Testament. Muhammad limited the unbounded license of polygamy. It is the exception rather than the rule. In resignation to God's Will, temperance, chastity, veracity and brotherhood of believers, they (the Muslims) set us a pattern which we should do well to follow. Islam has abolished drunkenness, gambling, and prostitution, the three curses of the Christian lands. Islam has done more for civilisation than Christianity. The conquest of one-third of the earth to his (Muhammad's ) creed was a miracle.” ³³

Maitreya's teachings will not deviate from those of previous Buddhas, except for an interesting tradition that he will not teach any esoteric Tantras, hinting that Maitreya's mission will, in general, be more efficient than Shakyamuni (the Buddha)'s himself. This is significant to know Maitreya and exactly describes Prophet Muhammad's mission. It is apparent that due to the conditions of time and place, none of the previous prophet brought and conveyed God's Message in its entirety and universality. Each of them was sent to a particular region, towards specific people and for a certain period. Therefore, they stressed certain dimensions of the religion or focused on particular pillars of faith, principles of good conduct and rules of the law according to the need of time and place more than the others. However, Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy for all creatures, and therefore he came with God's Message in its totality and universality, addressable to all times, places, conditions, and levels of understanding until the end of time. Because of this, he focused neither on the inward dimension of the divine message in neglect or disfavor of its outer dimension nor its outside dimension disadvantageously to its inward dimension. Prophet Muhammad has preserved the balance among all of the dimensions of the Religion or God's Message, and therefore his mission has become more efficient than all the missions of the previous prophets.

Maitreya will appear, not in his fully evolved Buddha form, but in a very handsome form and will be taller than those around him. On seeing this unique being, people will be filled with wonder and faith and will ask how he came to have such an attractive appearance. Maitreya will respond that this is ascribable to his exercise of patience, avoiding giving harm to others, and if others also stand in love and tolerance, they could become similar to him. These statements also describe Prophet Muhammad exactly. As explained before, Anas ibne Malik , a companion of the Holy Prophet says that Muhammad was the most handsome of people. Jabir ibne Samura narrated: "Once during a full moon, we were sitting in the mosque. God's Messenger came in. I looked first at the shining moon, and then at his face. I swear by God that his face was brighter than the moon." Also, Ali Ibn Abi Talib , the cousin and son-in-law of the Holy Prophet and the Fourth Caliph, described him as:

“God's Messenger was the most generous of people in giving out and the mildest and foremost of them in patience and perseverance. He was the most truthful of people in speech, the most amiable and congenial in companionship and the noblest of them in the family. Whoever saw him first was stricken by the awe of him, but whoever knew him closely was attracted to him deeply, and whoever attempted to describe him (after he had seen him) would say: "I have never seen the like of him, neither before him nor after him.” upon him be peace and blessings.” ³⁴

The most distinctive qualities of Maitreya are the utmost development of energy, courage, patience, the constancy of striving, and bravery. The active compassion of this Bodhisattva finds its ultimate expression as forgiveness. He is the ocean of forbearance, gentle patience in his spiritual garment. He forgives others for all kinds of injury, insult, contumely, abuse and censure. Forgiveness has found its ultimate manifestation in Prophet Muhammad . No one in the world can claim equality with him in energy, courage, constancy of striving, fearlessness and forgiveness.

Maitreya was accepted by all schools of Buddhism and is the only celestial Bodhisattva recognised by the sects of the Theravada or Hinayana school. Recognised by everyone, the Buddhist group as the future Buddha, he did not serve as the object of any independent sectarian movement. This is particularly significant to understand the mission of the Holy Prophet . As pointed out several times before that all the previous prophets were sent towards the specific people and for a certain period, while Prophet Muhammad was sent to all peoples with God's Message in its universality. This is why, although Islam was always the name of God's Message brought by all of the prophets, whether partly or in its universality, it came to be mentioned with different names such as Christianity and Judaism over time, while it has preserved its name only through Prophet Muhammad .

Maitreya's images appear in Gandhara, perhaps even before those of the Buddha. He has been more famous and respected than the Buddha himself in the Buddhist world. He will be attended by a company of thousands of monks, while a company of hundreds attended the Buddha. Since Prophet Muhammad was the first in ‘God's Wisdom’ as the most illustrious fruit of the ‘tree of creation’, he has been known since the creation of the world, mentioned in all the divine scriptures. Moreover, his coming was foretold by all the prophets. It is also because of this that he had more companions than the former prophets and had a more constant following than them. His religion will enter every house in the world, and his followers will outnumber all the true followers of the other prophets.

A blessed lord, an incomparable leader, an incomparable trainer of men

"A Blessed Lord, one fully or supremely enlightened and awakened one endowed with wisdom and conduct, a well-farer, knower of the worlds, embracing the universe, an incomparable trainer of men to be tamed, an incomparable leader, a ruler of angels and mortals, and a teacher of angels and humans. He will thoroughly know by his own super-knowledge, and proclaim to this universe with its angels and friends, and with its ascetics and Brahmins, and with its princes and people."

All these qualities, which have found their whole expression and meaning in the Holy Prophet , are mentioned clearly in the books of ahadith and will be explained in detail at their respective places in upcoming volumes.

"The world-ruler, Shankha by name, who will rule over the earth up to the confines of the ocean; and he will make the Dharma prevail. He will be a great hero, raised to his station by the force of hundreds of meritorious deeds."

Prophet Muhammad was both a prophet and a ruler, whose mission encompasses all creatures. Therefore, he had, has and will have a mass following throughout the world. He is the greatest hero of creation who has been brought up to his station, not by violence, but by the power of his meritorious deeds, as explicated in the fourth chapter.

"He will have a heavenly voice which reaches far. A supreme sage, he will with a perfect voice preach the true Dharma, which is auspicious and removes all ill, i.e. the fact of ill, the origination of illness, and the transcending of illness, and the holy eightfold path which brings security and leads to Nirvana; the Dharma, glorious in its beginning, glorious in its middle, glorious in its ending, in the spirit and in the letter, and proclaim the holy life in its fullness and purity. He will explain the four Truths, because he has seen that generation, in faith, ready for them, and those who have listened to his Dharma will thereupon make progress in the religion."

These statements describe the Holy Quran. As Bediuzzaman Said Nursi eloquently puts it:

“The Quran's wording is extraordinarily fluent and pure. As it is extraordinarily eloquent when expressing weaning, so also it is wonderfully fluent and pure in wording and word arrangement. One proof of this is that it does not bear the senses, but rather gives them pleasure, even if it is recited thousands of times. Brilliant scholars of the sciences of rhetoric and grammar also confirm its matchless eloquence with the wisdom it has.

Even a child can memorise the Quran easily. Critically ill people, even if troubled by a few words of ordinary speech nearby, feel relief and comfort upon hearing it. For dying people, it gives their ears and minds the same taste and pleasure as that left by the sweetest water in their mouths and on their palates.

The Quran does not bore the senses; rather, it feeds the heart, gives power and wealth to the mind, functions as water and light for the spirit, and cures the soul's illnesses. We never tire of eating bread, but might tire of eating the same fruit every day. Similarly, reciting or listening to the Quran's pure truth and guidance does not bore us. As it always maintains its youth, it also preserves its freshness and sweetness.

Once the Quraysh- the Makkan people sent one of its eloquent leaders -Walid Ibn Mughira to listen to the Holy Qur'an. When he returned, he remarked: "The Quran is so sweet and pleasing that no human tongue can resemble it. I know poets and soothsayers very well. The Quran is not like any of their work. We could only describe it as magic to deceive our people about it." Even its most hardened enemies admired its fluency and eloquence. ³⁵

What follows is just a handful of acknowledgements by western writers and scholars about the Holy Quran:

It is more read than any other book in the world. The Christian Bible may be a world best-seller. However, nearly a billion followers of Prophet Muhammad read or recite long sections of al-Quran five times a day, every day of their lives, from the time they can talk. ³⁶

Harry Gaylord Dorman also writes:

“It (Quran) is a literal revelation of God, revealed to Muhammad by Gabriel, perfect in every letter. It is an ever-present miracle witnessing to itself and to Muhammad, the prophet of God. its miraculous quality resides partly in its style, so perfect and lofty that neither men nor jinn could produce a single chapter to compare with its briefest chapter, and partly in its contents of teachings, prophecies about the future, and amazingly accurate information such as the unlettered Muhammad could never have gathered of his own accord.” ³⁷

Paul Casanova declared:

“Whenever Muhammad was asked a miracle, as a proof of the authenticity of his mission, he quoted the composition of the Quran and its incomparable excellence as proof of its divine origin. And in fact, even for those who are non-Muslims, nothing is more marvellous than its language which with such a prehensible plenitude and a grasping sonority with its simple audition ravished with admiration those primitive people so fond of eloquence. The ampleness of its syllables with a grandiose cadence and with a remarkable rhythm have been of much moment in the conversion of the most hostile and the most sceptic.” ³⁸

And here is the revocation by Laura Vaccia Vaglieri:

“On the whole, we find in it a collection of wisdom which can be adopted by the most intelligent of men, the greatest of philosophers and the most skilful of politicians. But there is another proof of the divinity of the Holy Quran. It is the fact that it has been preserved intact through the ages since the time of Revelation to the present day. Read and read by the Muslim world; this book does not arouse in the faithful any weariness, it rather, through repetition is more loved every day. It gives rise to a profound feeling of awe and respect in the one who reads it or listens to it. It was, therefore, neither by means of violence of arms nor through the pressure of obtrusive missionaries, that caused the great and rapid diffusion of Islam, but above all through the fact that this Book, presented by the Muslims to the vanquished with the liberty to accept it or reject it, was the Book of God, the word of truth, the greatest Miracle Muhammad could show to those in doubt and to those who remain stubborn.” ³⁹

The devotees of Maitreya were also required to perform ‘Dharma actions', not only for themselves to ward off the wicked path and false knowledge, but also to help others follow the path of Maitreya. Undoubtedly, Maitreya had many qualities that were active with many people. "Maitreya," say, Robinson and Johnson, "unlike the Buddhas before him, is alive so that he can respond to the prayers of worshippers. Being compassionate, he willingly grants help; and being a high god in his present birth, he has the power to do so." It should be noted that, for the adherents of Maitreya, devotion and service are two complementary features of the practical expression of their Buddhist experience.

Maitreya, unlike the Buddhas before him who were sent only to a certain people and for a limited period and all the truths in whose scriptures have been contained by the Quran, is alive with the universality and ever-validity of his religion and scripture. In addition to some of its descriptions mentioned above, the Holy Quran also describes his devotees as follows:

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا وَاعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ وَافْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ 77وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ مِلَّةَ أَبِيكُمْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ هُوَ سَمَّاكُمُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِنْ قَبْلُ وَفِي هَذَا لِيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ شَهِيدًا عَلَيْكُمْ وَتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِاللَّهِ هُوَ مَوْلَاكُمْ فَنِعْمَ الْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ النَّصِيرُ 78⁴⁰

O People who Believe, bow and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord, and do good deeds in the hope of attaining salvation. And fight in Allah's cause as is the true manner of fighting; He has preferred you and has not kept any hardship upon you in religion; the religion of your father Ibrahim; Allah has named you Muslims – in the previous Books and in this Qur’an, so that the Noble Messenger be your guardian and witness, and you be witness against other people; therefore keep the prayer established and give charity, and hold fast to the rope of Allah; He is your Master; so what an excellent Master and what an excellent Supporter!

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَلَوْ آمَنَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ لَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُمْ مِنْهُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ 110⁴¹

You are the best among all the nations that were raised among mankind – you enjoin good deeds and forbid immorality, and you believe in Allah, and if the People given the Book(s) believed it would be better for them; some of them are believers (Muslims), and most of them are disbelievers.

Therefore, through the reference of Maitreya, the scriptures and sayings of Buddhism describe the outstanding personality of Prophet Muhammad . His arrival, his characteristics and behaviors are mentioned distinctly and a clear manner. Therefore, we invite Buddhists to go through their scriptures and study the life of the Holy Prophet to find out the truth.

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• ¹  Maitreya (The Future Budhha) http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/maitreya2.htm: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ²  Bhagavad-gita As It Is 8.17: http://vedabase.net/bg/8/17/enl: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ³  The Buddhist Apocalypse: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/bits/bits102.htm: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ⁴  Alan Sponberg (1988), Maitreya: The Future Buddha, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K, Pg. 34.
• ⁵  Zurcher, E (2001), ‘Prince Moonlight’: Messianisan and Exchatology in Early Medieval Chinese Buddhism, Pg. 14, 39, 40: Prophet, Elizabeth Clare, Book 2, Pg.17; http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/texts.htm: Retrieved: 16-12-2016 Maitreya: The Future Buddha, http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/maitreya 2.htm: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ⁶  Maitreya Buddha: http://web.singnet.com.sg/~alankhoo/Maitreya.htm: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ⁷ Ibid
• ⁸  Cornelis P. Tiele, (1912), The Religion of the Iranian Peoples, The Parsi Publishing, Bombay, India, Pg. 159.
• ⁹  Encyclopedia Britannica (Online Version): http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/358868/Maitreya: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ¹⁰  Alan Sponberg (1988), Maitreya: The Future Buddha, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K, Pg. 18-19.
• ¹¹  The Digha Nikaya (Collection of Long Discourses) is a Buddhist scripture, the first of the five nikayas, or collections, in the Sutta Pitaka, which is one of the "three baskets" that compose the Pali Tipitaka of (Theravada) Buddhism.
• ¹²  Wikipedia http://tipitaka.wikia.com/wiki/Cakkavattisihanada_Sutta: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ¹³  Carus, Paul, Merhoven, Martin (2004), The Gospel of Buddha According to Old Records, Carus Publishing Company, Singapore, Pg. 245.
• ¹⁴  Edward Conze (Translator) (1959), Buddhist Scriptures, Penguin Books, London, U.K, Pg. 238-42: http://www.reversespins.com/buddhistprophecy.html: Retrieved: 16-12-2016
• ¹⁵  Joseph Edkins (1893), Chinese Buddhism, Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Ltd., London, U.K, Pg. 256.
• ¹⁶  Holy Quran, Al-Anbiyaa (The Prophets) 21: 107
• ¹⁷  Holy Quran, At-Tawba (The Repentance) 9: 128
• ¹⁸  Holy Quran, Al-Kahf (The Cave) 18: 6
• ¹⁹  Holy Quran, Ash-Shu’araa (The Poets) 26: 3
• ²⁰  Towards Understanding the Quran: http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=18&verse=1&to=12: Retrieved: 12-02-18
• ²¹  Holy Quran, An-Noor (The Light) 24: 35
• ²²  Holy Quran, Ar-Rahmaan (The most Gracious) 55: 1-9
• ²³  Holy Quran, An-Nur (The Light) 24: 40
• ²⁴  Holy Quran, Ash-Shura (The Consultation) 42: 13
• ²⁵  Holy Quran, Aale Imran (The Family of Imran) 3: 110
• ²⁶  Holy Quran, Al-Fath (The Victory) 48: 29
• ²⁷  Towards Understanding the Quran: http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura=48&verse=27&to-29: Retrieved: 12-02-18
• ²⁸  Holy Quran, Al-Hujuraat (The Dwellings) 49: 7
• ²⁹  Holy Quran, Jumu’a (Friday) 62: 2
• ³⁰  Abu Bakah Muhammad Bin Al-Hussain (1999), Al-Sharia’t, Zikru Fazlu Jamee’ As-Sahaba, Hadith: 1166, Dar-ul-Watan, Riyadh, Saudia, Pg.1690.
• ³¹  Holy Quran, Al-Hujuraat (The Dwellings) 49: 10
• ³²  31.70 Towards Understanding the Quran: http://www.islamicstudies.info/tafheem.php?sura-49&verse-1&to-10: Retrieved: 12-2-18
• ³³  Abu’l-Fazl Ezzati (1978), An Introduction to the History of the Spread of Islam, London, U.K, Pg. 235-237.
• ³⁴  Muhammad bin Eisa Al-Tirmizi, Sunan Al-Tirmizi, Kitab-ul-Manaqib, Hadith: 3637, Dar-ul-Salam, Riyadh, Saudia, Pg. 1077.
• ³⁵  Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (2010), The Words, (trans.), “The Twenty Fifth Word, ” First Light, First Ray, the light, New Jersey, USA.
• ³⁶  Charles Francis Potter (1955), The Faiths Men Live By, Kingwoods, Surrey, U.K, Pg. 81.
• ³⁷  Harry Gaylord Dorman (1948), Towards Understanding Islam, Columbia University, New York, USA, Pg. 3.
• ³⁸  Paul Casanova, L’Enseignement de-Arabian College de Ferance in Leoon Doverture for 26th April, 1909. Quoted by Ali Unal in The Prophet Promised in World Scriptures, Tughra Books, New Jersey, USA, Pg. 435.,
• ³⁹  Laura Vaccia Vaglieri (1926), Apologie de L’Islamisme, Nilsson, Paris, France, Pg. 57-59.
• ⁴⁰  Holy Quran, Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22: 77-78
• ⁴¹  Holy Quran, Aale Imran (The Family of Imran) 3: 110

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